Island



Aug. 12. 1924.

A. J. LOEPSINGER SUPERVISORY DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 29 1918 I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 12, 1924.

\ A. J. LOEPSINGER SUPERVISORY DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 29, 1918 3 Sheets-Sht 2 ,520 P1 zierzrffi gyvaoargevz Aug. 12. 1924. 1,504,563

A. J. LOEPSINGER SUPERVISORY DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS AND THE LIKE warzJlae 6Z1? 6 Patented Aug. 12, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT J. LOEPSINGER, OF EDGEWOOD, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL FIRE EXTINGUISHER COMPANY, OF PROVIDENCE, R-HODE ISLAND, A CORPORATION OF NEM YORK.

SUPERVISORY DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS AND THE LIKE.

A'pplication filed November 29, 1918. Serial No, 264,560.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT J. LOEPSINGER,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Edgewood, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Su ervisory Devices for Automatic Sprinkler ysterns and the like, of which the following is a s ecification. i

t is occasionally required to install an automatic sprinkler system in a situation where the pressure of the local water supply is too low for-"effective sprinkler service and the building in which the system is tobe installed is not strong enough to support an adequate gravity or pressure tank. It has been proposed that the problem prescribed by such-cases might'be solved by arranging, between the supply main and the sprinkler pipes, a boosting pump which should serve to maintain an effective pressure in the sprinkler pipe system, the pump being automatically started-When the pressure in'the system-nus below a redetermined amount and being automatica 1y stopped as soon as the pressure is brought up to that amount. But the success of such a system obviously would depend upon its reliability is, upon the capacity of. theboostin pump to operate effectually -whenever a re may happen. Theneed and costs of fre uent personal visi tations to make'sure of his, by testing the system from time to time with respect to the condition of thepump and its readiness for operation, has hitherto been a serious obstacle to the commercial availabilities or success of sprinklersystems of this'nature. The present invention provides that a system of the character above referred to can be subjected to central station supervisory service,

anditested from-the central station at any time atgw'ill, without the need of a personal visitfiof ani inspector, and without any risk or uncertainty as to the accuracy of the reportof such inspector.

A sprinkler system embodying my inven tion is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figural shows in a diagrammatic way the principal parts of the system, so far as they are material to my invention; Figure 2 illustrates pressure controlled apparatus for automatically starting the pump, when pressure in the system falls;

Figure 3 illustrates pressure controlled apparatus for transmitting a signal to the central station when the prescribed pressure has been restored; and 1 Fi re 4 is a diagram of a simpler system; apd igure 5of a modification of a'portion o it.

In the drawing, the sprinkler pipe system is represented in part by a riser 2 provided with branch pipes 3 carrying the usual sprinkler heads 4. The entrance to the riser 2 is connected to receive the discharge from a booster pump 5 which takes water from a supply main 6 through a check valve 5 so placed in the supply main as to prevent back-flow. The pump, which is preferably of the centrifugal type, is driven by an electric motor 7 whose operating circuitis automatically controlled, to start ort'o stop the pump, by the pressure in the sprinkler-pipe system. This maybe done in various ways, the example chosen for illustration being a control of the operating circuit of the motor by means of a self-starting rheostat 8 which in turn is controlled by a device 9 subject to the pressure in the sprinkler pipe system, operated by changes thereof, and connected thereto by pipe 10. In the arrangement illustrated, the connection'is to a sur e tank 11 which is on a branch 12 of the sprinkler system and contains a trapped body-of air in order to secure steadiness. 'I'hecurrent for the motor, as well as that for the auxiliary circuit controlled by the device 9, is taken from feed wires 13 and 14' connected to any suitable'continuous source of'electrical ener y. The parts thus far described may be ta en astypical ofa system employing a boosting pump to keep up desired pressure; and the present invention is concerned with the combination with such a system of supplementary parts which will now be described.

At 20 is shown a pipe connected to the just above),

sprinkler pipe system, pn'n'ided with a. valve 21, and being open beyond that as at 2 to a. free discharge. This valve is contmlled by electrically-operated mechanism within the box 25 included in a circuit (represented by the power w.ires.23, 24,) which may directly or indirectly extend to a centralsupervisory station, equipped with apparatus by whici current may be sent through them to control the valve. whenever desired. The valve 21 normally stands closed, but may be opened from the central station whenever it is desiredto test, the readiness and. effectiveness of the boosting apparatus.

As here-in illustrated; in Figure L, this circuit is arranged as it might be if there were several sprinkler systems A, B and C on the same; circuit, in different buildings, each with a. boosting, pump and its inclividual testing device. To thisend, the local wires 23, 2A, go only to a selector apparatus indicated, diagrammatically at 26, which may be of any ordinary or suitable type, constructed and arranged so as to respond to a. certain code signal, for example, the signal 123, and when so; responding to close the local circuit through wires 23, 24, with the result that the valve 21 is thereby opersted in a. direction to open. it. The wires by which this selector is operated. are marked 33, 34, and constitute part of a circuitfrom the centralsupervisory station where the apparatus is located, indicated by the key 35, by which the desired succession of im' pulses for operating the selector 26 can be thrown upon the wires 33. 34, by hand or b suitable mechanism. The result is to clbse switch 26 and thusto open the valve 21, letting water out from the sprinkler system at 22 with the same effect as if one of the sprinkler heads 4 were to begin to emit water. This immediately reduces pressure in the system to a point where action of the booster is needed to maintain the desired pressure conditions, and puts the test whether the booster is ready and able to start automatically to raise the pressure, by action of the apparatus 9, 8, T, The control apparatus 9 may be apressure switch of the type illustrated in Figure 2. As there illustrated, a diaphragm 9 is on its under side subjected to fluid piessure of the system (which has access to it through an inlet tube corresponding to 36* in the Figure 3 which pressure thus normally holds up a pivoted lever arm 9" that acts as a strut to hold the spring contact arm 9, in the position illustrated in full lines, where it is apart from the other contact arm 9 But upon reduction ofpressure a slight re cession of the diaphragm 9 lets down the support pin 9 which lets down the lever 9 that in turn lets down the lever 9 to its dotted line position and so removes theobstaclc to contact between points 9 and 9,

which follows innncdia-tely by the former springing against the latter, thus closing its circuit. The compound leverage of arms 9" and El insures the occurrence of this operation with relatively little weight in arm 9. A restoration of pressure raises the diaphragm 9" and so raises arm 9, thereby thrusting the spring contact arm 9 away and opening the circuit.

One feature of the invention is the combination with the foregoing of an automatic device 36 for sending a signal to the central station when pressure in. the system is reduced, and for sending av different signal when pressure. in the system has been restored. Devices that can be combined so as to be used for this purpose are already known and need not be illustratedv here in detail, the representation in the drawing being diagrammatic. As there indicated, an auxiliary circuit having wires 43', 4'4, passes through the pressure-controlled switch. 36', which maybe apparatus of-' thetyp'e shown in Figure 3. As there illustrated pressure in the system entering through 36* holds up diaphragm 36 and thus through compound leverage holds up the arm 36 in the position, illustrated in full. lines: This leaves the spring contact arm 36 free to press upon contact arm 36. pressure in the system sufiicient to let the arm 36" fall, the end, of latter engages the rounded or cam faced and of the lug 36 and pushes the spring arm 36 back'out of contact, opening: the circuit- When a normal pressure exists in the sprinkler system, this circuit is closed. lifthe pressure falls below a point predetermined by the setting of apparatus 36,- at or a little below normal, this switch is thereby opened, until the normal pressure is restored. When it opens, the cessation of current releases a detent 47 and so permits. operation of a. spring-actuated signalling apparatus indicated diagrannnatically at 46, which sends adistinctive signal. represented in this case as 123 through the main supervisory circuit wires 33, 34, to the central station, where the signal, being relayed through wires 53, 54:, rings a hell 55 and is indicated on a recording device 56. The circuit through wires 33, 34, being normally closed in the transmitter 45, is broken. when the spirin operated star wheel 46 there shown 18 re eased by movement of the combined armature and detent 47, and so begins and continues to revolve, repeatedly breaking the circuit according to the number and spacing of its points. An observer at the central station thus learns that the pressure has been reduced in one of the sprinkler systems which is supervised by the apparatus; and this code signal tells him. in which one. This gives warning if it has been occasioned by a fire; and gives a test if it has been occa- But upon decrease of sioned by his use of his testing key 35. In Figure 1 the diversity of stations and of the selectors and of the transmitters is indicated by the selector numerals 26, 26 and 26, and the transmitters 45, 45, respectively for the stations A, B and O, the two latter being shown in reduced diagram. If the apparatus is in proper working order, the reduction of pressure will cause the pres sure switch 9 to operate, automatically closing the circuit through the starting rheostat 8, so that that in turn operates and causes the motor 7 to be started, thus driving the centrifugal pump 5 and promptly raising the pressure in the system. \Vhen this pres sure reaches normal, notwithstanding the flow through valve 21 and discharge through 22, that information will be transmitted and recorded by the automatic devices 36, 55, 56. In the particular arrangement illustrated, the pressure controlled switch 36 will beclosed, thus closing the circuit through wires 43, 44, and thus by moving the armature 47 arresting the wheel 46 and causing a cessation of the signal at 55. The observer at the central station will thus learn that the ressure has been restored in this particu ar sprinkler system, and consequently will know that the booster pump and its incidental apparatus are in working condition.

For practical purposes it will be found in many cases suflicient to use the invention in simpler form, as, for example, by omitting t e register 56, and the supervisory transmitter and their relays; and it will be understood that various devices both for sending and for receiving and for distinguishing the signals may be substituted at will for those illustrated. A simpler system is indicated in Figure 4. In this case, the connection of terminals 35', in circuit 33, 34, causes a current to flow, actuating the bell or other signal indicating apparatus, if the pressure in the system is normal, and at the same time, by closing the switch 26, opening the valve 21. The consequent reduction of pressure in the sprinkler system causes the controller 36 to open the circuit, stopping the bell ringing, if it be of the make and break type, or otherwise releasing the armature oi the signal, and thus showing that the pressure has fallen. Upon the restoration of pressure, because the starter and pump are in working condition, the circuit will be re-made at 36, and the bell or other signal will be again actuated. The connection 35 may then be broken and the test valve 25 thereby closed, leaving the system in its normal quiet con dition and known at the central station to be ready for instant operation. If, however, the low pressure signal received from the device 36 be not followed reasonably soon by the restoration-of-pressure signal from the same, the observer will understand that trouble of some sort exists and can take the necessary measures.

The relation between the pressure switch 9 and the pressure signalling device 36 may be either that the pressure switch causes the motor to start when pressure has fallen to a certain point, which is higher than that at which the device 36 gives its signal, or at the same point, or at a lower point. In the first case, no alarm may be given, unless the system is out of order, for the pump upon getting under way may prevent the pressure from falling low enough in operate the signalling device 36: and if, after a reasonable time, no signal is received from that device, the observer will infer that the pump is doing its work. However, it is more satisfactory that the observer should have a definite indication that the apparatus through which he sends the impulse to reduce the pressure has worked properly; and that is obtained by having such a relation between the setting of the two devices that the signal of low pressure is given, and

is followed by another signal showing the i restoration of pressure. In this case, the test both indicates that the sprinkler system is in good working condition, and also shows that the testing apparatus is in good Working order, thereby confirming or corroborating the indication given regarding the sprinkler system. \Vithout this arrangement for confirmatory proof, on any system in which the pump becomes effective before the controller 36 or its equivalent part acts, the observed absence of signal which would accompany a normally operative condition of the apparatus might really be caused by a failure of the electrically operated valve 21 to reduce the pressure. It is therefore desirable that the outlet 22 be'sutficiently large, in relation to the speed of starting the pump, or that the controllers 9 and 36 be so set in relation to each other, that the pressure will get down low enough for the controller 36 to send its signal clearly before the inflow from the pum. into the system equals the discharge outfl iiw at 22. The body of air trapped in the surge tank introduces a time element into the changes of pressure.

The apparatus described, particularly it containing the confirmatory or self-proving system, thus enables a person at an otlice or central station to be assured at any time of the readiness of the automatic sprinkler system to do its work, without making a personal visit to the installation, and without relying upon the report of a watchman or inspector. In fact, by the use of suitable recording apparatus the full record may be made automatically, showing the applica tion of the test, the quickness of response and the proof of being in operative condition. It will be obvious that many variations may be made in the details and the arrangeiii) &

ment of the apparatus within the scope of the invention. It is intended that the patent shall cover, by suitable ezmression in the appended claims, whatever eatures ot pateutable novelty exist in the invention disclosed.

For simplicity of explanation it has in the foregoing been assumed that when several stations are operated on the same circuit, as in Figure 1, the star wheel 4:6 runs continuously from the time the tail of pressure opens switch 36 until restoration of pressure closes it. In that case the beginning of the sending of impulses constitutes one signal, and their cessation constitutes different signal.

For practical purposes however it will probably be preferred to use apparatus in which the signal does not continue to be sent repeatedly so long as the pressure is down, as confusion would result if the rather remote possibility were to occur of a coincident setting ofi of a sprinkler head at some other station on the same circuit by fire originating during that brief period. But to guard against this signalling apparatus may be chosen which gives brief but different signals on opening and on closing of the circuit at 36.

The mechanism for imposing such a limitation on number of revolutions may be of any suitable type, as for example by using an escapement 47 which when swung one way lets the wheel d6 turn twice; and when swung the other way lets it turn but once.

The apparatus illustrated in Figure 4 has the advantage of simplicity but has the disadvantage that its circuit 33', 34 normally is en so is not available for transmitting an a arm of fire. However, it can, if preferred, be operated on the closed circuit principle by providing therein a resistance 33 and a low resistance shunt 33" around it wlth switch NJ, as shown in the adjacent Figure and by making the magnet at 26' so that it will operate the switch there to open valve only when a relatively heavy current passes; and the signal 55' of a type which is silent while current flows, and gives alarm when current ceases. Thus arrangedthe apparatus stands normally with switches closed and 35* open, and a weal: continuous current flows through 33, 34. which leaves valve 21 closed. \Vhenever pressure falls in the water system, caused either by discharge from a sprinkler 4 or from the test s out 22, the circuit is broken at 136, and the a arm is actuated. To make a test, one closes the switch 35*. The stronger current which then flows causes the valve 25, 21 to open, and holds it open until reduction of pressure causes the circuit 33, 34, to be opened at 36, and the signal thereof to be given at 55. This action releases the valve 25, 21, which closes; the switch 35 may be opened again; upon restoration of pressure in the water system with remaking of the circuit at 36, the signal of restoration occurs, at 55, and the apparatus continues quiet with closed circuit, ready to give alarm when either a fire or voluntary test next reduces pressure.

I claim as my invention 1. ihwater system having asupply pump adapted to increase the service pressure in the system; means controlled by the pressure in the system for automatically start ing and stopping the pump; means for giving a signal at a distant station on a predetermined decrease of pressure, and for giving another signal at the said station on a predetermined increase of pressure, it normally-closed valve controlling the escape of water from the system, and means controllable at said station, for opening and closing said valve at will.

2. A water system having a supply pump adapted to increase the service pressure in the system, means for controlling the operation of said pump in accordance with the service pressure, whereby said pump is set in operation when said pressure passes below a predetermined low value and is stopped when the pressure reaches a predetermined high value, a normally closed electro-m-agnetic valve for reducing the service pressure, a switch at a distant station controlling the operation of said valve, a switch responsive. to said service pressure, and means at the distant station controlled by said last mentioned switch for giving an indication when the service pressure has been lowered and for giving. a difi'erent indication when said pressure has been restored.

3. A testing system for automatic fire extinguishers, comprising a central station and a sub-station, a water system at. said substation having a normally quiescent supply pump adapted to increase the service pressure and having a normally closed valve controlling an outlet therefrom, means controlled from the central station for opening said valve, whereby the service pressure at said sub-station may be lowered to a predetermined value, means for setting in operation said pump when the service pressure reaches said predetermined value and for stopping the pump when the pressure again reaches normal, and a signal at said central station responsive to variations of pressure in said water system.

4. A supervisory testing system for water systems, comprising a central station and a plurality of sub-stations, a water system: at each sub-station having. a normally {priescent supply pump adapted to increase the service pressure and having a normally closed valve controlling an outlet for said pressure pressure, means for selectively opening the normally closed valves from said central station, whereby'the service pressure at a selectedsub-station may be lowered to a predetermined value, means for setting in operation the pump at said: selected station when the pressure .reaches said predetermined value and for stopping said pump when the pressure becomes normal, and a signal at said central station responsive to variations of pressure in the water systems 5. A supervisory testing system for water systems, comprising a central station and a plurality of sub-stations, a Water system at each sub-station having a normally quiescent pump adapted to increase the service pressure therein and having a normally closed valve controlling an outlet for said pressure, a circuit connecting the central station with said sub-stations, said circuit including a circuit controller at the central station and a circuit breaker and selector at each substation, each sub-station having its normally closed valve under the control of the selector thereat, whereby the valves may be selectively opened from the central station to lower the pressure at a selected sub-station, means for setting in operation the pump at a selected sub-station when the pressure thereat reaches a predetermined low value and for stopping said pump when the pressure reaches normal, means for setting in operation said circuit breaker when the pressure is lowered and for stopping said circuit breaker when the pressure is raised, and a signal at said central station responsive to said circuit breaker.

6. A water system having a supply pump adapted to increase the service pressure in the system and automatically controlled by the pressure therein, combined with an electrically operated means for reducing the pressure from a distance; and a device for signalling the state of pressure to the place of control, there being a plurality of said water systems on a single electrical circuit, and a selector for each of them in said circuit.

7. A water system having a supply pump adapted to increase the service pressure in the system and automatically controlled by the pressure therein, combined with an electrically o erated means for reducing the f i om a distance; and a device for signalling the state of pressure to the place of control, therebeing a plurality of said water systems on a single electrical circuit, and a selector for each of them in said circuit, and the signalling devices pertaining to the several systems being mutually distinct-ive.

8. A water system having a supply pump adapted to increase the service pressure in the system and automatically controlled by the pressure therein, combined with means to reduce the pressure from a distance; and a device for signalling the state of pressure; the signalling means being arranged I to operate at a pressure below that at which the pump control means operates, and the operation of the pressure reducing means being sufficiently rapid with respect to the pump starting means for the pressure to fall below the signalling point long enough to send a com lete signal before the pressure is restore 9. A water system having a supply pump adapted to increase the service pressure in the system and automatically controlled by the pressure therein, combined with means operable from a distant station to reduce the pressure, comprising in part an electrical circuit having at said station means for closing and opening the circuit; a local circuit controlled thereby and forming part of said pressure reducing means; and apparatus associated with the water system, affected by its variations of pressure, and adapted when so affected to make or break the first mentioned circuit.

10. A water system having a supply pump adapted to increase the service pressure in the system and automatically controlled by the pressure therein, combined with means operable from a distant station to reduce the pressure, comprising in part an electrical circuit normally complete and closed except for a break at said station; a local circuit controlled thereby and forming part of said pressure reducing means; and apparatus associated with the water system, affected by its variations of pressure, and adapted when so affected to make or break the first mentioned circuit.

11. A water system having a supply pump adapted to increase the service pressure in the system,-aud an electrical power circuit adapted to start and operate the pump, automatically controlled b the pressure in the water system, a va ve in the water system adapted to control the escape of water and thus to reduce the pressure, operated by said power circuit; and a supervisory circuit extending from a distant station and adapted to control the part of said power circuit which operates the valve.

combined with means for signalling to said station the decrease and the restoration of pressure.

12. A water system having a supply pump adapted to increase the service pressure in the system, and an electrical power circuit adapted to start and operate the pump, automatically controlled by the pressure in the water system, a valve in the water system adapted to control the escape of water and thus to reduce the pressure,

operated by said power circuit; and :1 supervisory circuit extending from a distant station and adapted to control the part of said power circuit which operates the valve,

combined with means for signalling To said there being aplurality of said with pump and valve. all served by the same supervisor circuit; R- seleciing aevice for each in the supen'ism" circuit, amd'the said pressure si-guafling device for each being; distinctive from the others.

Signed at Boston Massachusetts *this twenty-fifth day of ovember, 1918.

ALBERT J. LOEPSI'NGER. 

